Software Development Engineer in Test

Software Engineer In Test (SDET)Plaud is building the real-world AI interface for professionals to amplify intelligence, elevate productivity and performance, loved by over 2,500,000 users worldwide since 2023. With a mission to amplify human intelligence, Plaud captures, structures, and compounds the intelligence generated in conversations — so humans can think better, decide faster, and execute with clarity.Plaud Inc. is a Delaware-incorporated, San Francisco-based company pushing the boundary of human–AI intelligence through a hardware–software combination. With full ISO 27001, ISO 27701, SOC 2, GDPR, EN18031, and HIPAA compliances, Plaud is committed to the highest standards of data security and privacy protection.Plaud is building the next generation intelligence infrastructure and interfaces to capture, extract, and utilize intelligence from what people say, hear, see, and think.Plaud is a bootstrapped, skyrocketing, profitable company with a $300M revenue run rate achieved in just three years.Define the next-gen paradigm for human-AI interaction.Gain exposure to cutting-edge AI for Pro tools and play a direct role in our global expansion.Work with passionate teammates who value innovation, collaboration, and customer success.Grow your career in a culture that champions continuous learning and fast career development.Market-competitive compensation, global exposure, and a vibrant, creativity-fueled work atmosphere.About the RoleWe're looking for a Software Engineer in Test (SDET) to build our quality engineering function from the ground up. You'll own test automation across our consumer and enterprise platforms, embed quality into every stage of the development process, and help build a culture where engineers ship with confidence. This is an engineering role first. We expect you to build, not just test. 1. Build the Test Automation Platform Build an end-to-end automation framework covering Plaud's D2C consumer platform (plaud.ai, web.plaud.com) and B2B Teams product. Integrate tests into CI/CD for continuous feedback. You'll also pioneer the use of AI-agentic tools — LLM-driven test generation, agent-based exploratory testing — to scale coverage in ways traditional approaches can't. 2. Shift Testing Left Embed into the SDLC from day one — review requirements, define acceptance criteria, and flag testability gaps before code is written. Partner with PMs and engineers so quality is a design input, not an afterthought. 3. Evangelize a Quality-First Engineering Culture Be the voice of quality in planning, sprint reviews, and design discussions. Coach engineers on writing testable code and owning quality in their own work. Make quality visible across the team. 4. Define and Track Quality Metrics Own key KPIs: test coverage, defect escape rate, regression pass rate. Report quality health to engineering leadership and build dashboards that give the team real-time release readiness visibility. 5. Own the Release Quality Bar Be the go/no-go voice on release readiness. Lead release sign-off for major launches across consumer and enterprise products. 6. Manual Testing (Short-Term) For the first 3–6 months while the automation framework is being built, cover critical user flows manually and write clear, reproducible bug reports.Skills, qualifications and experience we look forRequired:6+ yrs in software testing with a strong automation focusProficiency in Playwright for web e2e testingTest code in Python or TypescriptAPI testing experienceCI/CD integrationExperience working in an agile product/engineering teamCuriosity about or early experience with AI/LLM tools applied to testingRamps up fast - curious, self-directed, product-obsessedPreferred:Subscription billing, D2C platform, or enterprise SaaS experienceWhat we offerMeaningful Ownership An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that gives a real stake in Plaud's long-term success.High-Impact Environment Work in a fast-moving, product-driven environment where your ideas directly shape the future of AI productivity.Cutting-Edge AI Tools for Productivity Access to best-in-class AI tools, including Cursor, GPT models, Gemini, Claude, and other frontier AI systems to maximize engineering and execution efficiency.Best-in-Class Equipment Choice of top-spec laptops, high-performance workstation setups, and cutting-edge Plaud devices for all new hires.Team & Culture Annual company offsites, team events, and a culture that values craftsmanship, ownership, and velocity. Plaud